Key Quotes - Sheila Flashcards
‘…is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.’ (p.1)
Use of the adjective ‘pretty’ brings attention to Sheila’s physical appearance. Like many women of the time, Sheila’s value is attached to the aesthetic.
An indicator of Sheila’s position within the younger generation through explicit mention of her age.
Use of the phrase ‘very pleased with life’ may indicate Sheila’s lack of any real worries or concerns owing to her family’s wealth. She does not need to be consider any responsibilities or pressures at this point.
Reference to Sheila as ‘rather excited’ places a focus on her level of immaturity as she is easily caught up in situations.
Act 1
“Oh - it’s wonderful, Look Mummy – isn’t it a beauty?”(pg5)
“I think it’s perfect. Now I really feel engaged.”(pg5)
By the noun ‘beauty’ the childish distractions progress as she is consumed with superficial things and materialistic gain
Shows her shallow nature - only to be concerned with aesthetics
Also asks her mother for direction – further infantilising Sheila as she seeks validation
Materialistic view further developed
From adverb ‘really’ she requires object to feel true relationship, showing her consumerist attitude
Act 1
“Oh – how horrible! Was it an accident?”(pg17)
Similar to Eric, has a very genuine reaction to news through the use of the exclamation mark
Cannot comprehend how somebody would end life as hers is very good
Lack of insight as she is sheltered – has a naïve outlook to life
Act 1
“I can’t help thinking about this girl – […] Oh I wish you hadn’t told me. What was she like? Quite young? […] Pretty?” (Pg17)
I can’t help thinking about this girl.” Sheila is one of the first people in her family to show empathy towards the struggles of the working class
“Quite young? …Pretty?” – Sheila asks about Eva’s physical appearance and age first. This demonstrates that she is still far from changing completely as a character as she still conforms to stereotypes about women.
Sheila considers the working class and therefore, is on her way to becoming more socially responsibility”
She considers Eva Smith to an extent, which shows she is on her path to becoming socially responsible.
Act 1
“(cutting in): Why should you? He’s finished with you. He says it’s one of us now.” (Pg18)
Sheila “cutting in” is the first example of her resistance to her parents, in contrast to how they previously infantilised her quite often
Sheila asks Mr Birling “Why should you?”, as an attempt to challenge him and go against her father, implying that she has perhaps lost trust in him due to the questioning of the inspector. This is evidence of her incrementally changing
“He says it’s one of us now” demonstrates how Sheila is more insightful than the rest of the family since she recognises that she is at fault and will have to accept responsibility for her actions
Act 1
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people.” (Pg19)
By describing the girls as “people”, she recognises that these people are not non descript entities, unlike her father
She realises that these people are individuals as she becomes more socially responsible
Moves away from capitalist ideologies as she does not regard them in a mercantile manner – “aren’t cheap labour”
Act 1
“Oh don’t be stupid. We haven’t much time. You gave yourself away as soon as he mentioned her other name.” (Pg 25)
“You fool…”
“Stupid” is a significant word for Sheila as it shows that she is no longer willing to please her fiancé Gerald. We could see that she was previously trying to do so when she went places for his benefit. This shows a clear shift in her character.
Sheila also shows great levels of understanding as she understands the situation and realised what Gerald has done.
Sheila also is quite persistent in her approach and wants Gerald to admit what he’s done.
Act 1
“I’m afraid you’ll say something or do something that you’ll be sorry for afterwards” Pg.29
Perceptive of what will come. She is more insightful that the other members of her family.
Foreshadowing her mothers involvement and Eric’s involvement.
Giving her mother a chance to accept responsibility as she realises what’s coming next.
Act 2
“I’m supposed to be engaged to the hero of it” Pg.34
‘Supposed’ could show she changed her mind, she is engaged to him
‘Hero’ shows sarcasm, mocking Gerald for what he did
Forcing Gerald to talk, similar to inspector
Act 2
“[She hands him the ring]” Pg.40
“I rather respect you… at least you’ve been honest” Pg.40
Sheila is now taking authority, opposing her character in Act 1 who was often infantilised
She is making a big decision for herself which contrasts when others were making decisions for her previously
Her now splitting with Gerald will break the relationship with the two families and businesses which her family may not like.
Expectations of Gerald have gone down massively
Only wants him to be honest and he hasn’t done that most of the time
She only cares about the investigation now, more than her marriage
Act 2
“Mother – stop – stop!” Pg.48
Realises it was Eric before everyone else this suggests that sheila is being perceptive
Giving her mother a chance to take it back and save herself and Eric
Realises quickly, contrast to her family who were a lot slower
Act 2
“I know. I had her turned out of a job” pg.56
Taking responsibility for what she did, first to accept
No longer trying to defend herself, changed from the beginning
Drifting away from her parents views and instead aligning with the inspector (generational divide)
“I” -personal pronoun demonstrates that she is able to acknowledge her own involvement and take responsibility
First to accept her involvement which demonstrates her perceptive nature
Act 3
“mother hardened her heart and gave her the final push that finished her” pg.59
Sheila explicitly states everyone’s faults, including her own, rather than showcasing her objective views
She is trying to emphasise the importance of shared responsibility to her family
She understands that there are consequences for every misdemeanour since her mother gave Eva Smith “the final push” to commit suicide
This links to the inspector mentioning the chain of events in Act 1
This also captures the message that Priestly was trying to convey through his didactic novella, that our actions have repercussions
Act 3
“[bitterly] I suppose we’re all nice people now” pg.63
Only one who has taken responsibility for her actions
Using sarcasm, mocking her family for being ignorant
Act 3
“you’re just beginning to pretend all over again” pg.65
Sheila sees through their facades as they ignore the repercussions and reject responsibility.
Sheila is aware of the situation and her parent’s and Gerald’s nature of capitalistic ideologies.
Act 3
